Project Coordinator (1 Position)

Job ID: BAMA_PC_2026_01_005

Project Title: Integrated Action for Improving Maternal and Newborn Health in Rwenzori and Busoga regions

Duty Station: Fort Portal City, Uganda (with frequent travel to project districts, i.e., Kasese, Kabarole, Kyegegwa, Kamuli, Jinja, and Jinja City, Fort Portal City)
Employment Type: Full-time

Contract Duration: Annual, renewable
Reports to: Technical Director

Supervises: Project Officer, Project Administrative assistants, Logistics Officer, Community liaison officer, Finance and administration assistant, Project Accountant and all other project field staff.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (with flexibility to work longer when required)

Position Purpose

The Project Coordinator will serve as the operational leader and primary focal point for the “Integrated Action for Improving Maternal and Newborn Health” project across the Rwenzori and Busoga regions. This role is responsible for the strategic integration, coordinated implementation, and day-to-day management of a comprehensive suite of interventions. The portfolio includes scaling the MAMA Rescue and FamilyConnect digital platforms and innovating in maternal transport financing, including the operational rollout of the Boda for Mothers direct co-pay voucher system and the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA)-linked digital health wallet.

Reporting to the Technical Director and working in close collaboration with the Director RMNCAH Programs, the Enabel WeCare Team, Regional Referral Hospitals, City and District Local Governments, Cities, and the Ministry of Health, the Coordinator will ensure all project components are harmonized to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths resulting from delays in deciding to seek care and in transit to care. A critical function is to oversee the emergency transportation and coordination system, strengthening regional dispatch and referral pathways to ensure timely access to care. The position holder will provide direct oversight of a multidisciplinary team; enforce rigorous programmatic, financial, and operational accountability; serve as the principal liaison with District Local Governments, health facilities, and community structures; and collaborate closely with the Enabel WeCare Team and government counterparts to deliver measurable impact towards reducing maternal and perinatal mortality.

Key roles and responsibilities

a)    Strategic Leadership and Program Management

• Provide overall strategic direction and operational leadership for the project, ensuring all activities align with the project’s Detailed Implementation Plan, BAMA Foundation’s mission, and donor requirements.

• Manage the project’s work plan, budget, and activity schedule, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of all interventions.

• Ensure the strategic integration and harmonized implementation of all project pillars—digital health (Mama Rescue, FamilyConnect), community mobilization, and health systems strengthening—to address Delays 1 (decision to seek care) and 2 (transit to care) effectively.

• Conduct regular project planning and review meetings, proactively identifying and troubleshooting implementation bottlenecks to keep the project on track, within scope, and on budget.

b)    Team Leadership and Performance Management

• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and capacity building to a multi-disciplinary project team, including Continuous Quality Improvement Mentor midwives, Community Liaison Officers, the MEAL Officer, Program Officer, and support staff.

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance team culture, conducting regular performance reviews and supporting professional development.

• Delegate responsibilities effectively and ensure clear communication and coordination within the team and with other BAMA departments.

c)     Operational Oversight and Systems Management

• Oversee the day-to-day execution of all field-based activities across the Rwenzori and Busoga regions, ensuring adherence to technical standards and operational plans.

• Manage the functionality and effective use of core project digital health systems, including the Mama Rescue maternal transport platform and the FamilyConnect SMS platform for tracking and communications.

• Directly oversee the innovative transport financing models: lead the operational rollout and community sensitization for the “Boda for Mothers” direct co-pay voucher system and the VSLA-linked digital health wallet model.

• Ensure robust logistics, procurement, and asset management for project offices and field activities.

d)    Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership and Advocacy

• Serve as the principal liaison and relationship manager for the project with District Local Governments, City Authorities, health facilities, and community leadership structures in both regions.

• Maintain close, collaborative working relationships with the Enabel WeCare Team and Local government counterparts at regional and district levels to ensure alignment and integrated planning.

• Advocate for and provide technical assistance to institutionalize sustainable project models, particularly supporting districts to adopt and manage the fuel-pooling system for public ambulances.

• Represent BAMA Foundation at relevant district, regional, and national forums, technical working groups, and coordination meetings.

e)     Financial Management, Compliance and Reporting

• Work in tandem with the Head of Finance and Accounting to ensure rigorous budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, and financial compliance with Enabel guidelines and BAMA policies.

• Review and approve project expenditures and activity budgets, ensuring value for money and transparency.

• Take primary responsibility for the timely preparation and submission of high-quality narrative and financial reports to BAMA senior management.

• Identify and manage financial risks, ensuring all operations adhere to grant conditions and organizational procedures.

f)     Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• In collaboration with the M&E Officer, ensure the establishment and use of a robust MEAL framework to track progress against project targets.

• Guarantee timely data collection, analysis, and review from the Mama Rescue platform, FamilyConnect, and HMIS to inform data-driven decision-making and adaptive management.

• Ensure accountability to communities and stakeholders by facilitating feedback mechanisms and participatory review processes.

• Drive organizational learning by systematically documenting innovations, challenges, success stories, and best practices for internal and external sharing.

a)    Risk Management and Safeguarding

• Proactively identify, assess, and develop mitigation strategies for programmatic, operational, financial, and reputational risks.

• Ensure full compliance with national regulations, donor requirements, and BAMA’s safeguarding, gender, and ethical policies across all project activities.

• Create and maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for staff, partners, and project beneficiaries.

Required Qualifications and Experience

·       A Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Social Sciences, or Economics, or a related field is required. Possessing a Master’s degree in Public Health, and/or Project Planning and Management is an added advantage.

·       A minimum of 5 years of proven, progressive experience managing similar health projects or emergency response/public health initiatives.

·       Demonstrated experience in directly managing and mentoring multi-disciplinary teams of 10 or more staff in field-based settings. Proven ability to foster teamwork, accountability, and a positive performance culture.

·       Substantial experience in successfully collaborating with Ugandan government agencies (particularly the Uganda Ministry of Health and District Local Governments), NGOs, donors, and community-based organizations. Experience working with or for institutional donors like Enabel, the U.S. Department of State, or UN agencies is highly desirable.

·       Hands-on experience in managing project budgets, financial forecasting, and ensuring strict compliance with donor financial regulations. Proven skill in procurement, logistics, and asset management.

·       In-depth understanding of Uganda’s maternal and newborn health system, the Three Delays model, emergency referral processes, and health facility operations.

Key Skills and Competencies

·       Ability to provide a clear strategic vision, make sound judgments under pressure, and solve complex operational problems.

·       Skills in strategic planning, activity scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery of results.

·       Strong competency in budget oversight, financial reporting, and ensuring adherence to complex donor and organizational financial guidelines.

·       Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-building skills. Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, from community leaders to senior government officials.

·       Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English.

·       Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality, analytical narrative and financial reports for senior management and donors.

·       Proficiency in using M&E frameworks and tools to track outcomes, analyze data for decision-making, and document lessons learned.

·       Flexibility to adapt plans based on evidence and context, and resilience to work effectively in challenging field conditions with frequent travel.

·       Full professional proficiency in English. Working knowledge of key local languages (e.g., Rutoro or Lhukonzo for Rwenzori, and/or Lusoga for Busoga) is a significant asset.